Differential steering mechanism for tractors



Mar. 13, 1923. 1,448,117

I o. c. HANSEN DIFFERENTIAL STEERING MECHANISM FOR TRACTORS Filed May 51, 1922 2 sheets-sheet. 1

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Z6 VT Y '26 775 1 E v v a fi 12 I 12 1a a e z 15' it? 27 A I 27 i4 i5 if 2, a 50 F375 2'7) Z5) Mar. 13, 1923. 1,448,117 0. C. HANSEN v DIFFERENTIAL STEERING MECHANISM FOR TRACTORS Filed May 51, 1922 2 sheets-sheet 2 T p I m i Ziznmfwr 02 6f 1461/1/58 iifwmajsa Patented Mar. 13, 1923.

OSCAR CHARLES HENSEN, OF QROSI, CALIFORNIA.

DIFFERENTIAL STEEBI'N G MECEAN ISM FOR TRACTORS.

Application filed ma 31, 1922. Serial at. 564,742.

To all 10 ham it may concern:

Be itknown that l, OSCAR sex, a citizen of the United States, resident of Orosi, county of Tulare, 5 State of California, have invented anew an al Steering Mechanism for useful Differenti the following is a speci- Tractors, fication.

My invention andparticularly to a mechanism adapted to isting parts of a tract from the intended to function as a secon unction with the existmechanism or 1n con 0 enable turns and I ing steering mechanism t of which CHARLES HAN- and a and relates in general to tractors differential steering be applied to the exor without departing original tractor construction and dary steering other maneuvers to be made in restricted areas.

' The invention is illustrated in the accompanyin g drawings in which Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a conventional type of tractor illustrating "the app lication of the invention; Figure 2 1s a View in side elevation of the back por one of th detail view of one of th ure 4 is a the line 55 Figure Referring now to tion of a tractor with e wheels removed; Figure 3 is a e truss rods; Figsectional view on the line 4- 1 of Figure 5, and Flgure 5 1s a cross-sect on on the drawings in detail (A) represents the tractor wheels, (B) the axle housing,

'the transmission case and seat. Tractors of the wheeled type are usually steered by a stee (C) the differential box, (D) E) the drivers ring wheel the same being turned by a suitable steering mechanism a steering wheel or the like located including adjacent the drivers seat. It so happens that while this kind of mechanism 1s suffi cient in steering on s traight aways or wide turns it is inadequate for maneuvering in restricted sharp turns. My to meet the requiremen areas, particularly as lacking in the existing type of each w heel (A) by bolts or in making invention may be applied ts above pointed out' and one fearesides in its simplicwhich enables it to be rather than cture requirlng a decided ting parts of the tractor.

o employ a pair 0 d to the hubs the like d otherwise attached to each of the The open faces (8) of the drums are closed by discs (9) having strengthening webs (10) and the discs are fixed to the axle housing by set screws as at (11). Bolted or discs (9) as at (12) is an l.-shaped strap (13) the bent ends (14:)of which extend into the U- brackets (15) and with the screw clamping devices (16) adapted to support the band (17 around each of the drums (5). The bands (17) are split to leave two confronting ends'(18) and (19). Pivoted to the end (18) of and terminating with- I each band is a bent manually manipulated lever (20) the same extending upward and iforward in reach of the driver on opposite sides of the seat (E). Fivoted to each of the levers as at (21) is a link (22) the opposite end of which being fixed to the end (19) of the band. This toggle connection will enable the ends of the bands to be drawn together by the levers (20) for clamping the bands around their respective drums so that the wheels ma be selectively spring (23) iscoiled around each of the links (22) with its ends anchored to hold the ends of the bands normally apart;

Fixed to the side of each disc (9) is a U- shaped strap (24) one end of which providing a guide support (25) for respective ones of the links and the opposite end extending upwardly to provide supports (26) for the levers (20).

The entire structure is suitably braced by truss rods (27) one arm (28) of which extending longitudinally of the transmission case (D) andfixed thereto as at (29) and the other arm (30) having its extremity attached to the differential box as at (31) and the corner (32) fixed to the L-shaped strap (14L) by one of the bolts (12).

- From the above it will be seen that by manipulating either of the levers (20) a differential steering through the wheels so that the tractor may be maneuvered over restricted areas and steered around sharp turns without relying upon the ordinary steering wheel.

I claim: p

A differential steering attachment for f tractors of the wheel type, comprising a pair of brake drums adapted to be mounted on the axle housing and fixed to the ground retarded; A1

effect may be realized Q I mean? Wheels of the tractor, a brake band for each truss rods between said' discs and the differbrake drum, a lever for manipulating each ential housing of the tractor, and brackets brake band, a disc closure for the open side also carried by said discs having screw 10 of each brake drum, said disc being fixed to clamping devices for supporting the brake 5 the axle housing and having brackets atbands around the brake drums.

tached thereto for supporting the manipulating levers when the levers are inactive, OSCAR CHARLES HANSEN. 

